Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer has urged anyone with “any flu-like symptoms at all” to stay at home ahead of Christmas.
Professor Breda Smyth issued an update Twitter on Saturday as she reported a “significant surge” in both flu and Covid cases.
She said: “With Christmas just one week away we are reporting a significant surge in flu cases of 80% on last week’s numbers. We have a number of patients in ICU with flu this week and unfortunately none of them have had their flu vaccine.
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“Covid cases have increased rapidly in the last three days. Test positivity is now almost one in five. On average we are now seeing 75 new hospitalisations per day with Covid.
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"We all know that vaccination saves lives. It decreases the chances of being infected and reduces the risk of severe illness from Covid and flu. So please come forward and get yours,” she said.
She made two appeals to the Irish public.
“My ask this week is two simple things. Firstly please come forward for your flu and Covid vaccines. I especially appeal to parents to consider getting the free nasal flu vaccine for your child.
“Secondly, please stay at home if you have any flu-like symptoms at all and prevent the onward spread of any of the winter viruses.
“Please stay safe and well this Christmas. Remember the behaviours that protect us all so well,” she added.
It comes as many people across Ireland are coming down with a bug that “feels like Covid but isn’t” in the run-up to Christmas.
Social media is full of people sharing their misery over taking ill with symptoms similar to Covid, while testing negative.
TV writer Daran Little tweeted: "Anyone else down with something that feels like covid but isn’t???"
He was inundated with responses with thousands agreeing while sharing their own symptoms.
“Yep. Had Covid 2 weeks ago (for the first time) and got over it, and now got a cold - Tickly throat, runny nose, heavy head, tired,” one person wrote.
Another added: “Yes. I’m coughing like someone on 40 cigs a day (I don’t smoke) and I can’t keep awake for more than a few hours a day. Totally feel like I’m on my last legs!”
Someone else commented: “Yep. Really bad head cold for over a week now, lost my voice from a sore throat for 6 days and it has only just started to come back but my head is still all congested.”
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